Joint meida release with the Hon Nikki Boyd MP
Queensland's flood resilience is set to be further strengthened with the Albanese Government investing $7 million in new and upgraded assets for the state's Flood Warning Infrastructure Network (FWIN).
The investment will deliver 170 projects comprising 260 flood warning infrastructure assets across the 23 councils hardest hit by the 2022 Queensland floods, from Balonne through the south-east to Gladstone.
Each council will receive up to $235,000 for their new flood warning infrastructure, with a further $1 million going towards 14 high-priority projects recommended by the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) within nine of the eligible councils.
Assets include rainfall and river height gauges, flood cameras, electronic signage, data communication repeaters, and sensor technology.
The projects will address local flood warning needs identified by councils, Queensland's Department of Transport and Main Roads, and BOM for Australia's National Flood Warning Infrastructure Network Program (NFWINP).
Councils will supply and install assets funded for their local government area, with BOM to take ownership of the assets for the NFWINP after installation.
The projects will be funded by the Albanese Government through the Emergency Response Fund, as part of a $75 million commitment to the Queensland Flood Recovery and Resilience Package that's backing numerous local projects across the state's south.
Since 2017 the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) has secured more than $25 million for the state's FWIN, which features more than 3,300 rainfall and river gauges operated by approximately 60 entities across government and the private sector.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt
"While we can't predict the future, we know complacency is simply not an option when it comes to building disaster resilience," Minister Watt said.
"In recent years we've seen more frequent and intense floods, especially flash flooding, which is why these new Flood Warning Infrastructure Network projects are so crucial.
"The Albanese Government continues to make major investments in best practice flood warning infrastructure that will better protect communities against future flooding based on their unique, localised needs.
"With earlier flood warnings and more comprehensive information captured we'll significantly improve our defence against disaster events."
Quotes attributable to minister responsible for the Queensland Reconstruction Authority Nikki Boyd
"Queensland's latest devastating disaster season has again illustrated the need to ensure our Flood Warning Infrastructure Network is robust and fit-for-purpose," Ms Boyd said.
"Because while we recover we also need to keep preparing for the natural disasters we will inevitably face in the years ahead.
"Doing this will put us in a stronger position to both weather the storm and recover from its impacts.
"This latest investment in Queensland's Flood Warning Infrastructure Network builds on so much terrific work done by the Queensland and Australian Governments, councils and the Local Government Association of Queensland, to help keep communities safe during severe weather."
Further information
Councils receiving flood warning infrastructure assets under this latest FWIN investment include Balonne, Brisbane, Bundaberg, Cherbourg, Fraser Coast, Gold Coast, Goondiwindi, Gladstone, Gympie, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Logan, Moreton Bay, Noosa, North Burnett, Redland, Scenic Rim, Somerset, South Burnett, Southern Down, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, and Western Downs.
More information can be found on the Queensland Reconstruction Authority website at Flood Warning Infrastructure Network.
